(a) No person shall receive a basic dispatcher certification unless such person has completed a Commission approved dispatcher basic training program and is employed as a dispatcher in Wyoming.

(b) A dispatcher shall have two (2) years from the date of employment to complete a Commission approved dispatcher basic training program.

(i) The basic course curriculum and number of training hours shall be approved yearly by the Commission.

Section 3. Extension of Time Requirements for Basic Training.

The Commission may grant an extension of the two (2) year time requirement upon the written application of the dispatcher and his employer. The application shall explain the circumstances which make an extension necessary. Factors which the Commission may consider in granting or denying an extension include the illness of the dispatcher or a member of their immediate family, or the absence of reasonable access to the basic course. The Commission shall not grant an extension exceeding two hundred and ten (210) days.

Section 4. Advanced Dispatcher Certification.

(a) Every person who holds a permanent appointment and holds a basic certification as a dispatcher in any law enforcement unit in the state of Wyoming is required to complete an additional training beyond the requirements of the basic certification.

(b) Upon satisfactory completion of an additional twenty (20) hours of commission approved training, and following one (1) year of additional experience as a dispatcher, the dispatcher shall receive certification as an advanced dispatcher.

(c) The advanced training requirements in this section shall be completed within two (2) years following the date of basic certification.

(d) Failure of any dispatcher to complete advanced training as provided by this section shall result in the denial of recertification.

Section 5. Professional Dispatcher Certification.

(a) Professional certification shall be awarded to a dispatcher who meets any of the following requirements:

(i) Has been awarded advanced certification, has completed an additional forty (40) hours of commission approved training and has acquired three (3) additional years of experience as a dispatcher;

(ii) Has been awarded an associate's degree, has been awarded advanced certification, has completed an additional twenty (20) hours of commission approved training and has two (2) additional years of experience as a dispatcher; or

(iii) Has been awarded a baccalaureate degree or beyond, has been awarded advanced certification and has completed one (1) year additional experience as a dispatcher.

(b) The professional training requirements of this section shall be completed no later than three (3) years following the date of advanced certification.

(c) Dispatchers awarded professional certification shall complete twenty (20) hours of continuing training every two (2) years. Verification of required training shall be provided to the commission within two (2) years following the date of professional certification, and every two (2) years thereafter.

(d) Failure of any dispatcher to complete the requirements of professional training as provided by the section shall result in the denial of recertification.

Section 6. Extension of Time Requirements Training.

The Commission may grant an extension of time limit for complete of continuing training required by these rules upon a presentation of evidence by the department that a dispatcher is unable to complete the required training within the time limit prescribed because of illness, injury, military service, special duty assigned or required in the public interest of the concerned jurisdiction, or because of restriction on the availability of required training.

Section 7. Re-Entry Employment.

(a) Currently certified Wyoming dispatchers.

(i) Those dispatchers who hold current Wyoming certification may be re-employed provided the employing agency completes the background investigation required by Chapter 2, Section 2 (c);

(ii) The employing agency shall submit a Re-Entry Employment Form to the Commission within fifteen (15) days of appointment.

(b) Previously certified Wyoming dispatcher.

(i) Those dispatchers who do not have current certification and have been employed as a dispatcher within the past three (3) years may be recertified, provided the applicant satisfies the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 2;

(ii) Those dispatchers who were last employed as dispatchers more than three (3) years but less than five (5) years ago may be recertified provided the applicant satisfies the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 2, and passes a written challenge examination provided by the Commission (the examination may only be taken twice).

(iii) Dispatchers last employed as a dispatcher more than five (5) years ago shall attend the current Commission approved dispatcher basic training course.

(c) Dispatchers certified/trained in states other than Wyoming.

(i) Those dispatchers who have previously established certification or completed basic training in states other than Wyoming may petition the Commission for certification only upon the following conditions:

(A) The applicant dispatcher has been employed as a dispatcher within the last five (5) years;

(B) The applicant dispatcher can provide documentation of successful completion of a dispatcher basic program that is, in the Commission's opinion, comparable to the Wyoming Dispatcher basic offered during the same time period;

(C) The applicant dispatcher satisfies the provisions of Chapter 2, Section 2; and

(D) The applicant dispatcher passes a written challenge examination provided by the Commission, (the examination may only be taken twice).